Driving the ball to the right

[steve617]

Being a high handicapper I have been driving with me 3 wood. I have gotten much better in the past few weeks teeing off with it I have decided to switch to my driver. I have a titelist 983K and can hit it at times much longer. My problem is I hit mostly to the right. Not actually a slice just hitting the ball that way. What are some of the common problems or fixes to hit the club head straight.

Since I started hitting the driver I also am trying to keep my right elbow inside on the back swing and also have tried to roll my wrist to help close the impact. I am sure there could be many reasons, and i need to take a video perhaps later in the week.

Do I need to keep my hands more forward? Do I need to stand closer to the ball? Anyway thanks for some suggestions.

[Lange]

Why do you figure your slicing? There could be several reasons why such as out to in swing pattern, or bending your elbows to much, or just hitting off the toe etc. A video would help alot, but as for something like going closer to the ball probably won't make a difference. Make sure your arms stay generally straight. But if your not going far enough right to call it a "slice" then you should be alright for the time being, just play with it until you've figured out how to solve it at the range.

[bigoak]

most right eyed dominant golfer line up to the right of the target. That's why many start from alignment from behind the ball. have you had anyone check your alignment

[steve617]

Even though I am right handed I am left eyed dominant. I had not actually checked my alignment but I will try to do that behind the ball. I actually started doing that a couple days ago after I saw a Butch Harmon video on the Golf Channel.

Today when I hit at my house I did not try aligning up from behind the ball.

Now that I am thinking about it last week at the driving range I hit several balls right of my target with my 3 wood. One spectator told me I needed to keep my arm straight.

[ks8829]

I push the ball to the right when my hands are too far from my body and when I do not complete the backswing and I am already starting my forward swing.

When this happens to me I try to keep my hands within a open hand distance from my body and I take a slow backswing so that I can be sure that I make a complete and full backswing and even consider having a slight pause at the end of my backswing just before I start my downswing.

[HazardMagnet]

My partner is an excellent teacher, and so much better than I. (He carry's a 1-iron in his bag). He gives me only one bit of advice each time we play or go to the range, as not to overload me with information. On our first trip out this year he had me slow down on my backstroke, as mentioned above... what a world of difference, with all my clubs. I am not a powerfull hitter whatsoever, but straighter and shorter is better than playing "Pinball" with the tree's.

There are signs at the driving range at our favorite course that say: Do Not Hit The Fence!, I'd love to hit that fence just once...

[Mr.Wedge]

In my experience Steve, these type problems can usually be traced to the legs and feet or the grip, and often both. Check your grip and make sure it is relatively neutral, or that you have both palms square to the target. Also, feel the grip in your fingers and hold the club a light as you can without it slipping in your hands.

Check to make sure your knees start and remain flexed with the knees kicked in toward each other a bit, which gets your weight on the insides of your feet. If those basics are in order, a video would be best.

[Stacey_E]

Watch your ball flight very closely.

IF you are aligned at the target, and the ball starts straight to the right, you are pushing the ball. If it starts at the target and curves right, then you are slicing. Two different problems and two different solutions. But you could just be aligned wrong and hitting wonderful shots, just not where you want them to go. My guess is you might be getting stuck on the inside with the longer shafted driver and pushing, especially if it's not an issue with other clubs.

On ever shot from tee to cup, always pick out an intermediate target on your line of play. It's much easier to align the clubhead and body to a 3 foot target than a 200 yard target.

[steve617]

Its defiently a push. The only time I do slice badly is when I do have smooth tempo. Seems like the smoother my tempo and if I keep my back swing slow I usually hit straighter shots. I guess its just something I need to work on.

[tbirdscbrad]

I was having the same problem took my wife out for the first time and I couldn't hit it straight if my life depended on it, it was so bad she was doing better then me and she has never been on a course and to the range twice.

So I figured it was time for a lesson best thing i ever done he had me hit a couple and videoed it and showed me what I was doing wrong and how to fix it we went back out and I was hitting mostly straight. My big problems were my grip he said I had my thumbs straght down and it wouldnt allow my wrist to bend right and keep the face open I beleive this was my biggest problem and I was also rolling back on my feet and not following through right which would explain why I'm so tired after a round. He told me a couple others but said I should fix those first.